A main goal of the Bulgarian Professionals Club is to support the professional development of our members by hosting relevant events such as Resume-Building workshops and LinkedIn seminars and introducing them to helpful resources. Depending on where you are in the career development process, we’ve compiled a list of resources to get you started.

Self-Exploration: This is an important first step in making sure you discover a career that best aligns with your interests, strengths, and values. Identifying what motivates you and what you bring to the table can help you prepare strong and genuine responses to common interview questions such as “Why are you interested in this position” and “Why should we hire you?” Resources to help you with this step include:

1. O*NET Interest Profiler (US Department of Labor): Help you find your interests and how they relate to the world of work.
2. National Career Development Association Recommended Self-Assessments: There are quite a few to choose from depending on what you want to work on.
3. GallupStrengthsQuest: This is a paid resource but it helps you identify strength themes you can refer to as you speak with employers during interviews.

Industry Research: Whether you are just starting your career journey or are debating switching careers, industry research is another essential step to help you identify fit and prepare you for interviews. A couple of resources to help you with this step include:

1. VaultGuides: This is quite the comprehensive resources and includes information on any industry as well as guides on building effective resumes/cover letters and preparing for interviews.
2. Bloomberg: offers research and industry knowledge.

Job Search: Once you identify your interests and strengths as well as your target industry, the fun of job search can begin. When it comes to job search, there are plenty of resources offering advice. Here are the ones we recommend:

1. LinkedIn
2. Glassdoor
3. Indeed
4. Idealist

Additionally, below you can find resources for job openings specific to the Washington DC area:

The D.C. Department Of Human Resources

441 4th St. NW, Suite 330 South
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 442-9700
www.dchr.dc.gov

The D.C. Department of Human Resources lists job openings in the District of Columbia government and also features links to websites of all agencies within the District of Columbia. Those websites have information about employment opportunities in each respective agency. The DCHR website is especially helpful because it includes detailed information about job opportunities, such as pay and benefits, as well as information about trainings offered by DCHR. These trainings aim to enhance your knowledge and skills relating to government positions which will in turn improve your likelihood of securing a through the DCHR.

The District Of Columbia Local Job Network
(202) 338-2288
www.dcjobs.com
DC Jobs is a user-friendly website that assists D.C. residents in finding local jobs in almost any field. Individuals can search by category, job title, company or even specific location within the Washington D.C. area. Additionally, the website has information about career fairs and job openings in specific D.C. government agencies. People looking for help in developing interview skills, writing cover letters or improving their resumes will find this website helpful as well, as it offers advice, samples and frequently asked questions to guide you.

The Washington Post
1150 15th St. NW #4
Washington D.C. 20071
(202) 334-6000
www.washingtonpost.com
The Washington Post online is one D.C.’s best websites for job seekers. In addition to a search engine specifically for D.C. employment opportunities, the Washington Post website features a plethora of articles on career advice, job searches in specific arenas, trends in certain fields and ideas for improving your marketability. The website also allows you to create a profile and post your resume so employers can seek you out. Finally, anyone who wants to become more qualified in a specific field can also obtain information on educational opportunities as well.

D.C. Networks
DC Works! Headquarters Career Center
4058 Minnesota Ave. N.E.
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 72402337
www.dcnetworks.org

D.C. Networks assists job seekers in finding open positions throughout the D.C. area, in addition to providing a forum for exploring the current job market, career trends and the nuances of different careers if you are trying to decide what field to focus on. Many people find the website’s virtual recruiter, which is a program that searches for employment opportunities that match your specific skill set and then notifies you about them, to be especially helpful. The website also offers specific information for job seekers of different ages, veterans and individuals seeking apprenticeships. Information about the sites One Stop Centers, where education, training and employment services are offered, can be accessed through the website as well.

JobWonk

www.jobwonk.com

Jobwonk is designed to assist all jobs seekers in D.C., whether they’re seeking full-time, part-time, internship or volunteer opportunities. This website is easy to use and allows visitors to search by job type and location within the D.C. area. The jobs are clearly listed, and each job includes a link so you can apply right away. Visitors to this website can subscribe to a weekly email that will feature information and updates about any industry that you are interested in.

Networking and Interview Preparation: No one seems to like it but networking and building core connections with people in your target industry can open a lot of doors for you. If it is done the right way. As already mentioned previously, the Vault Guides include information to help with networking and interviews. Another awesome resource is the Muse. Here, you can find tips and insights from a multitude of career professionals.

If you have followed all recommendations and are still struggling to find a job, you might want to check out Cultivated Culture.

And as always, be on the lookout for our next professional development event. Hope to see you there!